Who Do You Hire to Knock Down a Wall?

Many homeowners aspire to create open-concept living spaces, but if your home isn't relatively new, you probably have rooms divided by walls. These could be load-bearing walls or non-load-bearing walls, but either way, removal of them is a big decision to make. Removing these walls may seem straightforward, but it can impact your home's structural stability, potentially compromising its integrity. That's why it's crucial to hire a local structural engineer to assess and provide guidance on the safe removal of walls.

Preparing to Hire a Wall Removal Contractor

Renovating the interior of your home is a major decision. As such, you don’t want to hire a pro without a plan. These are the steps you should take before hiring a professional to do the job:

Draft a Layout

Determine which walls you want to remove beforehand. Then talk with a local architect or interior designer near you to design the new layout.

Research Pros Near You

Once you have a layout, reach out to your local pros. This is where researching, word-of-mouth, and looking up reviews on companies near you can help you avoid unreputable or inexperienced contractors. If you're removing a load-bearing wall, it's especially important to ensure the pro has experience in the removal of such a wall.

Get Estimates

After choosing a few companies, get multiple estimates. Don’t settle for one estimate, as you could end up paying more for the same services. Instead, ask around, compare costs, and don’t be afraid to find the best and most reputable professional available.

Acquire a Permit

Having a kitchen that opens up directly into the living room is great for entertaining, but the city is going to want to make sure you follow building codes during the remodel. More often than not, you’ll need a permit from your local municipality before you remove a load-bearing wall. 

If hiring a contractor, they should acquire the permit, as it holds them liable for any construction problems that may arise. 

Also, don’t be surprised if the municipality sends an inspector to check out the work during the process and once it’s completed.

Don’t Expect Things to Go According to Plan

If you’ve watched any home improvement show, then you know how things don’t always go according to plan. Some surprises that might arise are wires or pipes in the wall that need to be reconfigured, even if the wall is non-load-bearing.

That’s why it’s important to be open to any changes that may arise before hiring your pro, so as not to be surprised or disappointed if you can’t have the exact floorplan of your dreams.

Who to Hire to Remove a Non-Load-Bearing Wall

If you're interested in removing a non-load-bearing wall, hiring a licensed general contractor or professional handyman would be a good choice. These professionals generally vary in the skills they have, so search for an individual or team experienced in safely and efficiently removing non-structural walls. If you know the wall you're removing or adjacent walls are non-load-bearing, the project likely doesn't necessitate a structural engineer, though if the contractor uncovers any issues with load-bearing walls, they'll make recommendations for your next steps.

Here's a list of key factors to keep in mind before hiring a general contractor:

• Wall material

• Location of electrical or plumbing fixtures

• Impact on adjacent spaces

Who to Hire to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall 

While non-load-bearing walls are generally simpler to remove, load-bearing walls require more intricate work. These walls support the structural integrity of a home and require the skill of a contractor with structural engineering knowledge to ensure the wall's safe removal. The cost to remove a load-bearing wall will also be more expensive, averaging between $1,200 and $3,000 but would increase significantly upwards of $3,000 for homes with multiple stories.  

Here are some variables to keep in mind when hiring a structural engineer:

• Size of the wall

• Number of walls to be removed

• Rerouting wires or pipes

• Whether or not beams or other supports are needed

• Number of temporary support walls required, if any

Note: You should get at least three quotes from different structural engineers when looking for an accurate quote. Talk with each engineer thoroughly to determine what exactly goes into their pricing model.

Check Your Pro’s Qualifications and References

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As we mentioned, you should always research a contractor before hiring them for the job. Be upfront about asking for the following:

• Licensing

• Insurance

• Bonding

• References

• And, if applicable, images of prior work

Wall Removal Questions to Ask Your Pro

Though it might feel like an interview, having a list of questions to ask your pro is a great way to determine the project scope. Consider these questions as you create your own list:

• How long will this project take?

• Do I need to add any beams?

• Will the project affect the floors of my home?

• How many crew members will be on site?

• What safety precautions do you have in place?

• How will the project change if any unforeseen structural, electrical, or plumbing problems arise?

• Do I need a permit to remove the wall?